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69 News · Morning Call
2 men killed in 3-alarm fire
22 February 2012, 3:40 pm
Two men were killed in a three-alarm fire overnight, officials said.
The fire broke out a little before 3 a.m. Wednesday at 1920 Walbert Avenue, near the former Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, in South Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co.
Two people were found inside the burning home and rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital, but both died a short time later, said Scott Grim, the Lehigh County coroner.
One of the victims was identified as Russell L. Hutchison, 43; the name of the other victim was not immediately released, pending notification of his family.
Autopsies on both victims are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
The coroner is is looking for Hutchison's next of kin. Anyone with family information should contact the Lehigh County coroner's office at 610-782-3426.
A dog also died in the fire, officials said.
A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is assisting the South Whitehall Township police and fire departments with their investigation of the fire, which does not appear to be suspicious, Grim said.
Five men accused of patronizing prostitutes
22 February 2012, 1:16 pm
Five area men have been arrested on charges of patronizing prostitutes.
Colonial Regional Police arrested the five between 4 -10 p.m. Tuesday at a cooperating hotel in Hanover Twp., Northamton Co.
Those arrested are:
Ronald J. Cantwell, 48, of 25 W. Saucon St., Hellertown;
Matthew J. Groller, 36, of 1502 Laubach Ave., Northampton;
Ryan G. Abdouche, 24, of 623 Hanover Ave., Allentown;
Marc A. Capozzolo, 27, of 324 N. 40th St., Allentown;
David M. Haybron, 51, of 100 N. Park Rd, Wyomissing.
Police said each one agreed with an undercover police officer to pay $80-$200 for sex acts.
The Bushkill Twp. Police Department assisted the Colonial Regional Police with the arrests.
Step right up...and get your Freddy merchandise
22 February 2012, 12:57 pm
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the annual Freddy Awards, the State Theatre is selling Freddy merchandise.
A commemorative limited edition black t-shirt has the Fred X logo on the front and the names of 2012 participating schools on the back.
Available in sixes Medium-XXL, the t-shirt sells for $20 at the State Theatre box office or $23.50 (including shipping and handling) online.
Sure to be a collector's item is a copy of the DVD documentary "Most Valuable Players" following the 2008 Freddy Awards.
This OWN Documentary Club Selection by CanyonBack Films premiered nationally on the Oprah Winfrey Network in September 2011.
It has also won numerous awards, including Best Director (Seattle) and Audience Favorite (Nashville).
The DVD extras include deleted scenes, an outtake reel, behind-the-scenes commentary by the filmmakers and intros by Rosie O'Donnell and Oprah Winfrey.
Buy the DVD for $20 at the box office or $25 (including shipping and handling) online.
To order merchandise, visit the State Theatre box office at 453 Northampton St. in Easton; call 1-800-999-STATE or 610-252-3132; or online at www.freddyawards.org/category/shop.
All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts and DVDs support the Freddy Awards.
The 2012 Freddy Awards, FRED X, will culminate in a three-hour television awards ceremony on Thursday, May 24 from the State Theatre in Easton.
Produced in partnership with 69-WFMZ-TV, the show will be broadcast live from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on WFMZ and streamed live on the web at WFMZ.com.
Essroc agrees to pay fine
22 February 2012, 10:58 am
Essroc Cement Corporation has agreed to an $82,000 fine for alleged violations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency levied the fine to settle alleged violations of toxic chemical reporting requirements at its manufacturing facility at 401 W. Prospect St. in Nazareth.
According to the EPA, Essroc failed to submit three years of required reports on a regulated toxic chemical -- lead --- which was processed at the facility.
The Nazareth plant processes lead as part of the manufacturing process for bulk and packaged cement.
According to the EPA,a June 2011 inspection revealed that Essroc did not submit annual reports for lead for three years -- 2006-2008 -- when the company processed lead in amounts exceeding 130,000 pounds annually.
The EPA said the settlement involved alleged reporting violations -- not unlawful releases of toxic chemicals.
As part of the settlement, Essroc does not admit liability for the alleged violations, but has certified compliance with applicable Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requirements.
Cabot, Williams announce new Marcellus pipeline
22 February 2012, 9:31 am
A natural gas driller and a pipeline company are proposing to build a new pipeline to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale region to the New York and New England markets. Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation and Tulsa, Okla.-based Williams Partners LP have announced plans for the high-pressure, large-diameter pipeline. The 120-mile Constitution Pipeline would transport gas from the heart of Cabot's Marcellus Shale acreage in Susquehanna County to the Iroquois and Tennessee pipelines in southern New York state. Williams would be a 75 percent owner and operate the pipeline, while Cabot would retain a 25 percent stake. The pipeline requires federal regulatory approval.
The companies set a tentative date of March of 2015 for the pipeline to go into service.
Utility work will cause lane closures
22 February 2012, 8:38 am
Motorists through Allentown will face lane closures during the coming days.
PPL crews will be working to install lines. This work will cause single lane closures at Eighth and Linden streets through Feb. 28.
Road closures will also happen intermittently on Hall Street, between Maple and Hamilton streets, through March 1.
Expect delays, and consider taking an alternate route.
Council: No GPS for police cars
22 February 2012, 6:47 am
Macungie Mayor Rick Hoffman struck out with his attempt to equip the borough’s three police cars with GPS tracking systems during Tuesday night’s borough council meeting.
The council refused to vote on the three-year GPS contract.
Councilman Chris Becker noted that the mayor had only obtained one quote. Hoffman was instructed to obtain a minimum of three phone quotes before bringing the matter before council again.
The aborted effort began when the mayor noted that he had obtained “probably over “$1,100” in donations for the GPS systems and was requesting the remaining amount from council.
Hoffman's proposal came in at $1,078.20 annually, or $89.85 per month for all three borough police cars, with a one-time activation fee of $269 and a $24 shipping fee.
Becker said this was the first time he had seen the request and he questioned the specifics of the contract and the corresponding costs presented by the mayor.
“I just don’t understand this proposal,” Becker said. “And the second issue that this is one quote, you’re asking us to spend taxpayer dollars on this?”
“The reason I want to move on this is that they went down,” said Mayor Hoffman responded when questioned about his insistence the proposal receive immediate approval. “They’re on sale the month of February.”
“This contract also will give you 10-second updates as to where everyone is and it keeps all your data for one full year,” Mayor Hoffman noted. “…This protects the borough and our residents.”
Following the rejection, borough business owner Tim Romig directly questioned Mayor Hoffman about his proposal.
“After council just increased the tax millage on the taxpayers and now you want to have this council spend another couple of thousand dollars on another of your whim ideas?” Romig asked.
“It’s not a whim idea at all,” Mayor Hoffman responded immediately.
During a hotly-contested debate, Romig then questioned the mayor’s integrity, saying at a previous meeting the mayor had said if he couldn’t raise sufficient funds, he would personally make up the difference.
“…This is absurd to be thrown on the back of the taxpayers for your agenda,” Romig said.
69 News Investigation: Did Allentown overpay for arena properties?
22 February 2012, 5:44 am
The city of Allentown paid more than $15 million to buy and tear down an entire city block for a new hockey arena and entertainment complex, but did the city pay too much?
A 69 News investigation found some property owners look like they made huge profits in a weak real estate market -- in some cases, up to five times what they paid for their buildings just a few years earlier. In spite of the numbers, the city believes taxpayers got a good deal.
It's numbers season for tax preparers like Paula Paredes, but she believes the number she got from the city of Allentown to take her old building was too low.
"They don't give me the right price," she said.
Some 30 property owners were forced out to make room for the city's new multi-million dollar hockey and concert arena, slated to open late next year. Tempers flared last summer as business owners said they were being cheated.
"No fair," said Paredes. "They don't treat me fair."
But records obtained by 69 News show Paredes and others did well -- in some cases, very well.
Paredes bought her old location on North Eighth Street for $400,000. Less than a year later, the city paid her $650,000 for the building, plus another $97,000 in relocation expenses just to move across the street, to what Paredes admitted is a nicer building that needed few renovations.
69 News asked Paredes if the city paid too much for her building.
"Yeah," she replied. "For the situation. We not have too much choice."
Parades is certainly not alone, though. Property records indicate some of the buildings that used to stand in the area fetched up to five times what their owners paid for them just a few years earlier.
Sam Hong, owner of New York Fashions, received $852,000 in sales and moving expenses. He bought his building five years earlier for $150,000.
"It's hard for me to imagine that a building that was worth $150,000 in downtown Allentown four years ago suddenly is generating that much more income, that today it's worth four or five times that," said Stephen Thode, a real estate expert at Lehigh University.
"The numbers don't tell the whole story," said Sara Hailstone, who oversees much of the arena project as Allentown's Community and Economic Development director.
Hailstone said, in spite of the numbers, taxpayers got a good deal.
"Time was of the essence," said City Councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald. "They were under the so-called proverbial gun."
Property owners were likely paid extra, according to Thode, to avoid possible lawsuits and costly delays.
"There's always the risk that other people who'll be joining you in the venture," he said, "will look at it and say, 'This is taking so much time. I think we're going to back off.'"
City Council authorized Mayor Ed Pawlowski's administration to use eminent domain to seize the properties, but appraisers who worked directly on the project told 69 News there was a concern that landowners could challenge whether the project was truly a "public use."
Hong admitted that he would have likely taken the issue to court had the city offered him less money; he could not say how much less.
"Yes, it is a lot of money," he said, "but you know what? Without that, it's either go with the court, fight."
The city paid for Hong's property, and others, with a loan. The city hopes to pay it back with tax dollars generated by the arena itself, as well as businesses that located near it.
A Neighborhood Improvement Zone will funnel tax dollars back into development around the arena.
Hong is now in a new space about a half-mile away. He had to spend $200,000 to renovate it.
"A lot of people like to think that I have all this money in the bank. I don't," he said. "It's all invested right back into Allentown."
Hong said customers are slowly finding their way back, and he feels the arena traffic will be a benefit to his business in the long run.
As for Paula Parades, she's also doing well after the move.
"I don't lose clients," she said. "I get new clients."
When asked if the city overpaid for any of the properties, including Paredes' and Hong's, Hailstone offered this response:
"I think that the city paid the appropriate amount for each of those properties, to do what this project needs to do for the city of Allentown."
Lehigh University's Thode also urged taxpayers to put the amount of money in perspective.
"Compared to what might be a $50 million or $60 million, or even a $150 million project, a few hundred thousand dollars is rather small," he said.
Sunrise Chef: Abe Lopez
21 February 2012, 5:00 pm
Chef Abe Lopez from Sangria in Allentown joined 69 News at Sunrise to show us some delicious recipes. Asparagus salad 2 table spoons fresh tarragon 1 cp cherry tomatoes 1 bnch green asparagus 1 bnch white asparagus 2 shallots diced 1 table spoon Dijon mustard 1 cp sherry vinegar 1 cp e.v.o.o 3/4 cp canola oil s/p
Blanch asparagus in heavily salted water at a rapid boil for about 2min remove from water and place in salted ice bath. when cooled cut on a bias add tomatoes, tarragon and 2oz of vinaigrette Sherry shallot vinaigrette
In a mixing bowl add shallots, mustard, salt and pepper, sherry vinegar slowly whisk in alternating olive oil and canola
Portobella Mushroom burger
4 slice of asiago cheese 4 large portobella mushrooms 1cp olive oil 1/3cp balsamic vinegar 2 rolls 1cp baby greens 1/2cp mayo 1/2cp pesto 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped rosemary
Marinate mushrooms in olive oil, vinegar and rosemary for 24 hours or at least an hour. combine mayo and pesto in a bowl to make pesto mayo. On a hot grill, cook mushrooms for about 5 to 6 min on each side. Toast buns slather one side with pesto mayo and place some baby greens on one side melt cheese on mushrooms.
Fatal fire started by cigarette
21 February 2012, 3:12 pm
Investigators have determined a cigarrette was the cause of a fire that killed a woman on Valentine's Day.
The fire started just after 4 a.m. on Feb. 14 in a back bedroom of a twin home at 3308 N. Ruch St. in Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co., officials said.
Tina Groller died of injuries she suffered when she went back inside the burning home to find her cat, officials said.
Groller, 56, initially made it out of the home safely with her husband and their son, but she went back inside to try to find the cat, officials said. Firefighters later found her with severe burns on the second floor.
Cigarettes were found in the son's bedroom, and it appears one of them caused the mattress in the room to catch fire, said Chief Robert Benner, Whitehall Fire Dept.
The fire was contained to the bedroom, but the rest of the house suffered heat and smoke damage, Benner said.
The fire was ruled an accident.
Gas leak prompts brief evacuation of day care center
21 February 2012, 3:10 pm
Contractors working for UGI accidentally struck a natural gas pipe, causing a leak that prompted the brief evacuation of a day care center, officials said.
The mishap occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday at South 2nd and Ferry streets in Easton, said Dan Adamo, a spokesman for Reading-based UGI
The crew was working to replace UGI's cast iron pipes in the area when it accidentally struck a maintenance fitting on one of the pipes, causing the gas to leak, Adamo said.
A day care center at 100 S. 3rd St. was briefly evacuated as a precaution until the crew could shut down the line, Adamo said.
Four customers in the area were without gas service until repairs could be made.
Fat Tuesday=Fastnachts!
21 February 2012, 2:45 pm
It's Fat Tuesday. For many in our region, that means fastnachts.
Fastnacht Day is the day before Lent begins. It's a German tradition where you'd make a donut of sorts out of all the leftover, unhealthy foods in your kitchen.
The Bakery Nook in Egypt, Lehigh Co., said it's making 400 dozen fastnachts on Tuesday.
The baker and owner, Barry Kuntz, began making them at 2 a.m. to fill orders and please walk-in customers.
Starting Wednesday, many people will choose to give up things like sweets, candy, or chocolate for Lent, the season leading up to Easter Sunday.
Intersection repair will clog traffic
21 February 2012, 9:34 am
Traffic will be disrupted Wednesday while officials replace traffic signal equipment at a busy intersection.
Officials will be replacing a traffic box at the intersection of Airport and Schoenersville roads in Bethlehem. The box was damaged in a car accident on Feb. 10.
The traffic signals at that intersection will not be working from 9 a.m. until around 11 p.m.
Han-Le-Co Fire Department Fire, Police and Township workers will control the intersections while the signals aren't working.
Woman found passed out at gas station
21 February 2012, 6:36 am
It was a troubling sight for some gas station employees in Lehigh County.
Workers at the Top Star gas station at 5626 Route 145 in North Whitehall Township found a woman passed out in her car, with the car running.
More troubling: her four-year-old son was in the back seat.
It happened Jan. 30 around 4:30 p.m.
Police said witnesses tried several times to wake her up by knocking on the car window.
Gas station employees finally got the attention of 39-year-old Brandy Eileen Wieser and encouraged her to go into the station to get a drink and try to wake up, police said.
Police arrested Wieser for DUI. She had a blood alcohol content of .27 percent--more than three times the legal limit.
Wieser is from Slatington.
Report: Top Olympus exec found dead in park
21 February 2012, 5:24 am
A top executive from Olympus Corp has been found hanging in a park in India, Reuters and The Times of India are reporting.
Tsutomi Omori, 49, was the head of Olympus's medical equipment business in India.
He was found by a gardener, hanging from a wall that surrounds the park, the Times reports. The park was part of an apartment complex in Gurgaon which is just outside the capital of New Delhi.
The newspaper said two suicide notes were found. One was written to Omori's family.
A number of Olympus executives are facing charges for filing fraudulent information on company accounts in 2007 and 2008.
An internal probe of the company's finances shows that five current and former auditors are responsible for $109 million in costs related to the concealment of $1.7 billion in losses.
Olympus fired CEO Michael Woodford in October after he questioned the company's finances.
Olympus' U.S. headquarters is located in Center Valley, Lehigh County.
Police: Man stopped for DUI, connected to stabbing
20 February 2012, 5:15 pm
A wrong-way driver stopped by police for suspicion of drunk driving was later found to be involved in the stabbing of another man, police said.
Officers stopped Thomas William Roof around 3:30 a.m. Saturday for driving the wrong way on Linden Street, said police, who added that Roof appeared to be intoxicated and had blood on one hand. They said they also found a bloody knife in the vehicle.
At the same time, officers responded to 221 E. Ettwein St. in Bethlehem for a report of a stabbing. They found Michael Rivera with stab wounds. At last check, he was hospitalized in serious condition.
An investigation by police revealed that Roof was involved in an altercation with Rivera.
Roof was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, DUI and driving on one way roads. He was committed to the Northampton County Prison.
New director for Beginning Over Foundation
20 February 2012, 1:54 pm
The Beginning Over Foundation, a domestic abuse awareness organization, has a new director.
Fairlie Godshall is a veteran volunteer and associate of BOF.
“Fairlee has the training, the know-how, and the passion for the programs we offer at Beginning Over Foundation,” says Heidi Markow, founder.
“We are excited to appoint Fairlie. She has been a vital part of many of our programs with a focus healing, recovery and wellness for women and children of domestic violence, control and abuse,” adds Markow. Markow says she will continue to assist with wellness programs at Beginning Over Foundation.
According to the organization's website, it serves as a full service empowerment center offering survivors of domestic violence support and long term solutions as they rebuild their lives.
Heidi Markow started BOF in 2005 after the loss of her sister to domestic violence.
Cab driver robbed at gunpoint
20 February 2012, 11:07 am
Police say a cab driver was robbed at gunpoint in Allentown Sunday afternoon.
The incident happened around 12:20 as the driver pulled up for a rider at 2872 W. Emaus Ave.
Capt. Dean Schwartz said when driver for Premium Taxi arrived at the address, a man carrying a sawed-off shotgun approached the driver's side of the cab and demanded money from the driver.
The driver gave the man an undisclosed amount of money and the man fled, Schwartz said.
No one was hurt.
The man is described as a black male in his 30s, with a goatee. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray pants.
Embassy Bank offers ticket special for military personnel
20 February 2012, 10:59 am
Embassy Bank wants to recognize the work that military and first responders do by giving them a ticket special for some shows in Bethlehem.
As a way of giving back, Embassy is offering a buy one ticket, get one ticket free offer to upcoming concerts at ArtsQuest's Musikfest Cafe, 101 Founders Way.
The offer is only available for walk-up ticket purchases at the ArtsQuest center, as well as at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St.
“We are honored to celebrate our military personnel,” says Dave Lobach Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Embassy Bank. “They protect and defend our country so that we can enjoy our freedom. We are pleased to offer an evening of entertainment as a humble thank you for their service and dedication.”
Concerts included in the offer are: Feb. 22 – Teitur with Marit Larsen Feb. 23 – Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer Feb. 24 – Trouble City All-Stars and the Great White Caps March 3 – Marrakesh Express – A CSNY Experience March 14 – The Irish Comedy Tour March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day with RUNA
For more information, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.
State quarantines dogs at mall pet store
20 February 2012, 10:57 am
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has placed a quarantine on dogs at a local pet store.
Some of the dogs at "The Pet Shop" inside the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Twp., Northampton Co., might have a respiratory illness known as kennel cough, so they've been quarantined, said Samantha Kreps, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture.
The quarantine means no dogs can be taken in or out of the store, said Kreps, who noted that the quarantine applies only to dogs.
Inspectors will visit the store weekly until they determine the quarantine can be lifted, Kreps said. That will happen once 10 consecutive days pass with no outward signs of illness among the dogs, said Kreps.
The store remains open to customers.
Get the most out of your tax refund
20 February 2012, 10:40 am
A nice fat refund check can make the aggravation of tax season worth it. But how can you make sure you're getting back every last cent that you can?
Here's how to supercharge your tax refund.
Let's talk tax credit first.
For example, if you install a new solar water heater, you can qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.
The average tax refund for this year is expected to be $3,000.
If you spend that refund to buy a solar water heater, you're going to reduce next year's tax bill by 30 percent of that--or $1,000.
You can get up to $1,500 if you buy a fancier model.
Plus, experts say the water heater will actually pay for itself in energy savings.
If you don't want to make a big purchase this year, tax experts say you can use it to create an equally big deduction.
How? One way is by putting it in an IRA.
If you're eligible to deduct an IRA contribution, socking away $3,000 will lower your taxable income by that much.
Depending on your tax bracket, you could save up to $1,000 on your 2012 taxes.
One more idea: donate part of your refund to charity. Now you've done a good deed for others and created a deduction for yourself.
Fire at abandoned Schuylkill County home ruled arson
20 February 2012, 8:59 am
A vacant home in Schuylkill County is the second home set on fire by an arsonist, according to police.
Fire crews in the Auburn Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a home in the 400 block of Washington Street around 11:30 Saturday night.
The home's porch was damaged, according to police.
The cost of damage is estimated at $3,000.
No injuries were reported.
This is the second arson fire in the area since February 2, police said.
An intentionally started fire destroyed a garage at Sixth and Pear Alley in Auburn earlier this month.
Residents who see suspicious activity are asked to contact state police.
Police: Woman smacks daughter with wrench
20 February 2012, 8:52 am
Police say an Easton woman hit her daughter with a wrench.
The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Police said Bonifacia Monzon, 57, got into an argument at her home at 208 East Kleinhans St., which turned physical.
Police said Monzon then hit her daughter twice in the head with the wrench, which caused minor injury.
Bonifacia was arrested and charged with simple assault and harassment.
She was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Children's ER marks first birthday
20 February 2012, 8:20 am
The Lehigh Valley Hospital is celebrating a special birthday Monday.
The hospital's children's emergency room is commemorating one year of service with a birthday party.
Staff, several children who have visited the hospital, and their siblings will celebrate with cupcakes and balloons.
More than 17,000 children have received emergency care since the unit opened last year.
The facility provides specialized care for children up to the age of 18.
Race opens up more half marathon slots
20 February 2012, 7:02 am
The St. Luke's Half Marathon will open 100 more race slots Monday.
Each spot costs $100 as part of the funds raised to support St. Luke's Mobile Youth Health Centers, a division of St. Luke's Community Health.
The half marathon closed Feb. 3 with 4,000 entrants.
The race, now in its 26th year, is set for Sunday, April 29.
It's the largest single-day participatory athletic event in the Lehigh Valley.
The run is produced by the Lehigh Valley Road Runners.
Entries are still available for the St. Luke’s Youth Run on Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. in downtown Allentown. Parents can register their children at http://stlukeshalfmarathon.com/youth-run/.
The St. Luke’s mobile units provide free medical and dental care to local middle school and high school students who might not otherwise receive treatment.
State reopens case involving Pocono Mountain Charter School
22 February 2012, 3:02 pm
Charter Appeal Board decision based on auditor general's findings that school improperly funneled money to a church.
The fate of the Pocono Mountain Charter School has gotten murkier.
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Parkland teachers, district reach new contract
22 February 2012, 2:45 pm
Parkland school teachers have a new two-year contract with the district that will freeze their salaries for next year, reduce tuition reimbursements for teachers with graduate degrees and require higher contributions for health insurance.
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Essroc penalized for not reporting lead
22 February 2012, 12:00 am
Lower Nazareth plant settled with EPA for $82,000
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that Essroc Cement Corp. has agreed to pay an $82,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of toxic chemical reporting requirements at its manufacturing facility in Nazareth.
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First Runners World Half Marathon set for Bethlehem
21 February 2012, 11:29 pm
October race will be part of three-day running festival at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Runners World magazine, the veritable bible for runners published by Rodale, has sponsored all kinds of road races and marathons, but it's about to embark on something it's never done before.
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First Runners World Half Marathon set for Bethlehem
21 February 2012, 11:20 pm
October race will be part of three-day running festival at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Runners World magazine, the veritable bible for runners published by Rodale, has sponsored all kinds of road races and marathons, but it's about to embark on something it's never done before.
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Parkland allows ads inside school buses
21 February 2012, 11:06 pm
Initiative expected to raise $150,000 in the first year, possibly double the next.
The Parkland School District got the green light to sell ad space inside its school buses as a way to raise revenue for the district that is eyeing a 4 percent tax hike to make up for shortfalls in state funding.
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Bethlehem City Council again split over a new controller
21 February 2012, 11:02 pm
Council will try to pick a controller for the third time next week. If deadlock continues, a judge will decide.
After failing to appoint a new controller last week, Bethlehem City Council couldn't agree on one Tuesday night.
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U.S. announces steps to avert cancer drug shortage
21 February 2012, 10:26 pm
Local shortage of medicine for kids with cancer called worst officials have seen.
A boost in production and the addition of a new manufacturer are easing a looming disruption in the supply of critical cancer drugs.
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Lehigh County launches hall of fame with 24 inductees
21 February 2012, 10:25 pm
Inductions of the honorees will be part of bicentennial celebration.
Two dozen people with ties to Lehigh County, including recognizable names in entertainment, sports and business, will be inducted next month into the county's inaugural Hall of Fame class as part of a bicentennial celebration.
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Bid to open banquet hall at Woodland Hills back before Lower Saucon zoners
21 February 2012, 10:22 pm
Owner of closed Woodland Hills golf course in township needs variance to convert clubhouse into dining facility.
Alexander Patullo's attorney spent much of Monday night pointing to evidence that a 20,000-square-foot golf course clubhouse on Lower Saucon Road is not a single family home.
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Easton Area considers hiking TV fees for sports
21 February 2012, 10:20 pm
Easton athletic director says television coverage hurting attendance, revenue.
It was a premier high school wrestling match: a showdown between Easton Area and Parkland, two of the top contenders for the Lehigh Valley Conference crown.
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Rick Santorum's fundraising doubled in January
21 February 2012, 10:17 pm
Ex-senator doubled his entire 2011 haul in January and expects an uptick in February contributions.
WASHINGTON — After his success in the Iowa caucus in early January, Rick Santorum doubled in one month what he raised in all of 2011.
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Southern Lehigh's Empty Bowls Night to help fill food pantry
21 February 2012, 7:02 pm
Southern Lehigh event will feature artwork, student-made soup.
Mobiles inspired by rock 'n' roll hang clustered in Room 145 at Southern Lehigh Middle School. Hand-crafted ceramic bowls are stacked and ready for sale. The search is on for soup recipes for budget-conscious families.
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For a clockmaker, it's always time for work
21 February 2012, 6:44 pm
Tim Roeder fell in love with clocks and found a new calling.
Apart from microbiologists and particle physicists, nobody spends more time among miniature things than clockmakers.
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PA is overdue for its second president as Santorum surges
21 February 2012, 6:35 pm
How can it be that Pennsylvania, the state with the most precious historical legacy of all, has produced only one president?
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In Your Town
21 February 2012, 4:59 pm
LEHIGH COUNTY
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Analysis: Penn State's THON fundraiser may have Paterno to thank
20 February 2012, 11:46 pm
Dance marathon raised $1 million more than last year.
By December, Omar Lopez could see it plainly: Penn State's largest student-run charity had a problem.
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Analysis: Pennsylvania in play for presidential primary
20 February 2012, 11:45 pm
None of the GOP candidates can wrap up nomination before state's April 24 primary.
WASHINGTON — No Republican presidential candidate — not even Mitt Romney — can amass enough delegates to secure the nomination in the next two months.
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Lehigh County reassessment favors high-end homes, commercially dense towns
20 February 2012, 11:43 pm
High-end homes, commercially dense towns to benefit.
Now that the property assessments are set and the taxes divvied up, the verdict is in on winners and losers in Lehigh County as it undergoes its first real estate reassessment in more than two decades.
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Shad fishermen's flea market heads into fishing season
20 February 2012, 11:19 pm
Fishing, hunting, camping gear available at local events
It's still a few weeks off, but the Delaware River Shad Fishermen's Association annual flea market will take place 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 11, and the event will feature plenty of great deals.
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Victaulic foundry employee wins workers' comp for on-the-job stroke
20 February 2012, 9:40 pm
Forks man stricken while working in foundry 'hot room' is partially paralyzed.
A Forks Township man who suffered a stroke while working in the "hot room" at a Victaulic Co. foundry will receive workers' compensation benefits following a judge's decision in a case an expert described as difficult and unusual.
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Victaulic foundry employee wins workers' comp for on-the-job stroke
20 February 2012, 8:24 pm
Forks man stricken while working in foundry 'hot room' is partially paralyzed.
A Forks Township man who suffered a stroke while working in the "hot room" at a Victaulic Co. foundry will receive workers' compensation benefits following a judge's decision in a case an expert described as difficult and unusual.
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Media bloopers include a drug and bugle corps
20 February 2012, 6:13 pm
This bloopers column is dedicated to the clippers.
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Teacher concessions more common in current economy
19 February 2012, 11:33 pm
Negotiating teacher contracts in Parkland and elsewhere is anything but contentious.
Nearly a decade ago, Parkland School District teachers staged a walkout, sparking a five-day strike amid demands for a 5 percent pay hike at a time when teachers didn't pitch in for their own health coverage.
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Upper Bucks SPCA open for adoptions
19 February 2012, 11:32 pm
Richland Township facility provides shelter for rescued cats, dogs and farm animals
While Scott and Michelle Elsesser weren't looking for another dog, the pair from Tylersport, Montgomery County, decided Rex was just too good to pass up.
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